Studies on Heterosis in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir)

An investigation was carried out to assess the extent of heterosis for fruit, yield and quality parameters in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir). The trial was conducted at Department of Vegetable Crops, Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2009-2010. Hybrids developed by line x tester mating design, with twelve lines and three testers along with commercial check MPH 1 in pumpkin, were evaluated for fruit weight, fruit number per vine, fruit equatorial diameter, fruit polar diameter, flesh thickness, seed number per fruit, seed weight per fruit, fruit yield per vine and quality parameters, viz., total carbohydrate content, total carotenoid and crude fibre content in the fruit. Among the hybrids, Kasi Harit x Avinashi Local showed positive and significant heterosis for fruit number per vine, flesh thickness, seed weight per fruit, total carotenoid content and fruit yield per vine. Vadhala Gundu Local x CO 2 was the next best, as, the hybrid possessed desirable traits, viz., high fruit number per vine, flesh thickness, total carotenoid content and fruit yield per vine.